loki

Summary:

• Finland’s government provides every pregnant woman with a “Finnish Baby Box” containing essential items for infants and new mothers.
• Rewati Gurung, a 37-year-old social researcher from Nepal, learned about this scheme in 2016.
• Inspired by the idea, she wanted to introduce a similar concept in Nepal to support Nepali mothers.
• Gurung researched the best materials to include, such as maternity garments, to create a baby box tailored for Nepal.
• The article highlights her journey and efforts in starting an infant clothing brand, Kokroma, aimed at providing quality baby products in Nepal.

Archive: https://archive.md/o7VH5

Summary:

• Nepal's Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has ordered an urgent investigation into allegations that some Nepalis who traveled to Spain purportedly to participate in an international event alongside Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli did not return to Nepal.
• The probe aims to identify those individuals beyond the official delegation, understand the process of their travel, and uncover how their visas were arranged.
• Opposition parties have pressured the government, suspecting that officials may be involved in trafficking people under the guise of attending the event.
• The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau have been tasked with leading the investigation.
• Prime Minister Oli visited Spain from June 28 to attend the Fourth International Conference on Financing Development (FFD4) from June 30 to July 3, leading a 21-member official delegation.
• Some individuals who traveled with the delegation reportedly remain unaccounted for and are suspected to have fled to European countries, possibly using forged documents through non-governmental channels.
• Immigration officials confirmed many people received visas to attend the program but are uncertain if all returned.
• Opposition lawmakers raised this issue in Parliament, demanding clarity and accountability.
• PM Oli dismissed the accusations as propaganda aimed at criticizing him.

Archive: https://archive.md/6PXgM

Summary:
In Nepal, pressure groups like doctors, teachers, police, and transport operators are increasingly influencing the lawmaking process, often bending laws to serve their interests. A recent example involves the Nepal Medical Association protesting against penalties imposed by the Consumer Court on doctors and hospitals for negligence. Their agitation forced the government to agree to amend the Consumer Protection Act in their favor.

This is not an isolated case. Similar pressure from doctors led to amendments in the criminal code in 2018. Public transport operators recently pressured authorities to halt a ride-hailing policy despite court approval. Police unions have stalled the Nepal Police Act amendment to protect their interests, and the Teachers’ Federation has influenced the delay of the School Education Bill.

Experts highlight this trend as an intrusion on parliamentary authority. Senior advocate Radheshyam Adhikari says that the political leadership lacks the moral strength to resist these pressures, weakening legislative sovereignty. Former law professor Ganesh Datta Bhatta points out that while lobbying is natural, laws should not be constantly revised under pressure. He also notes poor consultation during lawmaking leaves stakeholders feeling excluded, prompting them to exert pressure afterward.

Overall, the article warns that such interference undermines democracy, weakens parliament's role, and leads to laws that are poorly implemented or manipulated by interest groups.

Archive: https://archive.md/8xjX9

Summary:

Tilaurakot, the ancient capital of the Shakya kingdom and childhood home of Siddhartha Gautam (Buddha), failed to get inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris.

• Despite years of detailed archaeological research and documentation, the proposal was deferred following the recommendation of ICOMOS (UNESCO’s advisory body on cultural heritage).
• No member country supported Nepal’s nomination or proposed amendments during the committee discussions, highlighting Nepal’s weak diplomatic efforts.
• India’s reservations played a significant role, as it promotes Piprahwa Ganwaria (near Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh) as the Shakya capital instead of Tilaurakot.
• Experts suggest a joint trans-boundary nomination involving India could improve chances, similar to other successful UNESCO sites shared by countries.
• Archaeological evidence at Tilaurakot includes a walled settlement dating back to the 8th century BCE, artifacts, ancient coins, and structural remains matching descriptions by Chinese pilgrims Faxian and Xuanzang.
• Nepal had placed Tilaurakot on the tentative list since 1996; previous attempts also failed.
• The failure is seen as a diplomatic setback rather than a reflection on the site's historical and archaeological value.
• Experts and officials emphasize persistence and improved international coordination for future nominations.

Archive: https://archive.is/MgNrm

Summary:
A 28-year-old woman named Kamala Aauji Damai from Krishnapur Municipality, Kanchanpur district, died after being bitten by a snake while staying in a menstrual shed (chhaugoth). She was bitten Friday night and taken to Seti Provincial Hospital in Dhangadhi but died the following evening.

The incident highlights the ongoing practice of chhaupadi in far-western Nepal’s Sudurpaschim Province, where menstruating women are forced to live separately in sheds or huts due to social stigma and superstition, despite it being illegal since 2017. The law criminalizes this practice with penalties, but enforcement is weak.

Local authorities have tried to dismantle these huts, demolishing about 60 last year, but people continue to rebuild them. Awareness campaigns alone have not been enough to stop this harmful tradition. In this case, despite living in a concrete house, the woman built a separate shed for menstruation and went there alone when the snakebite occurred.

Archive: https://archive.md/gLiwU

Summary:

• The government of Nepal has drafted a new law to address conflicts of interest among public officials amid widespread criticism of officials engaging in activities that conflict with their duties.
• The draft bill mandates that public officials must recuse themselves from decision-making processes where there is a conflict of interest.
• Officials must submit written declarations upon appointment, nomination, or election, stating they have no conflicting interests related to their workplace.
• The law covers a wide range of public positions, including the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House, judges, lawmakers, ministers, constitutional body office bearers, local elected officials, and government employees.
• Though some laws exist separately on conflicts of interest and public procurement, Nepal currently lacks an integrated law on this issue. The Supreme Court has also directed the government to create such legislation.
• The bill prohibits appointments, transfers, or postings involving officials with conflicts of interest and requires awareness among officials about potential conflicts.
• If a conflict arises in decision-making within a ministry, another official may be assigned to decide. Similarly, for constitutional bodies, decisions can be delegated to another official.
• The bill also limits unauthorized meetings and correspondence between public officials and foreign individuals or entities. Unauthorized acceptance of benefits from foreigners or foreign governments is banned.
• Receiving foreign aid or support without authorization is prohibited and such actions would be invalidated.
• The law imposes strict penalties for accepting support or gifts beyond a specified limit, including confiscation and barring officials from office for a period.
• Gifts received in an official capacity must be registered with the relevant public body.
• Violations may lead to fines, confiscation of benefits, and other legal consequences.
• The bill is in the final stages of Cabinet approval before being presented to Parliament for endorsement.

This new legislation aims to bring transparency and integrity to public service by systematically addressing conflicts of interest and restricting undue influence.

Archive: https://archive.is/OCoEh

Summary:
Nepali students from Team Gautam Buddha achieved second place at the AI Good – Robotics Good Youth Challenge 2025 held in Geneva, Switzerland. This global competition, part of the AI Good Global Summit, involved 500 teams and 7,000 participants from 25 countries. The team's robotics solution addressed real-world problems aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), finishing just five points behind the winning team from Venezuela.

Team Gautam Buddha was formed after a national competition organized by Robotics Association Nepal (RAN) in May 2025, where four students from United School, KMC School, and Samriddhi School were selected. The team also secured third place in a parallel category, marking a dual achievement for Nepal.

The success was supported by mentors Santosh Thapa Magar, Rishav Raj, and Kiran Khatri, as well as backing from 50 individuals and 10 educational institutions including United Academy Group, Trinity College, Kathmandu Engineering College, and others. The Nepal Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and the Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal also played key roles.

Additionally, Nepal’s senior team, Team Sagarmatha, reached the finals in the senior category, highlighting the growing capabilities of Nepali youth in science and technology. The Robotics Good Youth Challenge is a UN-endorsed initiative encouraging young innovators to develop AI and robotics solutions to solve critical global issues.

Archive: https://archive.md/yA85W

Summary:
Key Information:

Prabesh Thapa Chettri

• Former University of Louisiana Monroe student from Nepal
• Detained by ICE since February 18, 2025 (over five months)
• Arrested after an argument with his wife; visa expired September 2024 due to inability to pay tuition
• In the process of applying for a green card via an I-130 petition filed by his wife, AbiGayle Grace Russell (a U.S. citizen) in April 2025
• Has no criminal record and feels out of place being detained with criminals
• Reports harsh conditions in detention, including a pepper spray incident that affected many detainees severely

AbiGayle Grace Russell

• U.S. citizen, wife of Thapa Chettri
• Has spent $3,000 on phone calls to stay in touch
• Using social media to connect Thapa Chettri with his family in Nepal
• Running a GoFundMe for legal fees
• In contact with Senator Bill Cassidy regarding Thapa Chettri’s case
• Husband’s merits hearing scheduled for July 18, 2025

Conditions at Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center:

• One of the largest immigration detention centers in the U.S.; Louisiana is the second-largest state for immigration detention after Texas
• Operated by GEO Group, a private prison company contracted by ICE
• Multiple reports of inhumane conditions, abuse, neglect, and deaths between 2016-2023
• GEO Group denies allegations of mistreatment
• Thapa Chettri described an incident where guards pepper sprayed the entire dormitory, causing severe suffering, fainting, and foaming at the mouth for some detainees

Broader Context:

• President Donald Trump’s administration launched aggressive immigration crackdowns, detaining immigrants with expired visas and even some with valid documentation
• This has led to widespread fear and uncertainty among immigrants, including green card holders and applicants
• Cases like Mahmoud Khalil’s also highlight challenges faced at this detention center

Next Steps:

• Thapa Chettri’s merits hearing on July 18, 2025
• Ongoing legal efforts supported by his wife and advocacy groups

Archive: https://archive.md/3KE0d

State’s 44 Crore Investment Goes to Waste on Daroudi Water Project in Prachanda’s Constituency

Summary:

• The Daroudi Lifting Drinking Water Project in Gorkha Municipality, which cost around NPR 44 crore, was designed to provide clean and sufficient drinking water to thousands of residents across more than six wards (3,4,5,6,7,8). The project aimed to pump water from the Daroudi River to elevated tanks and distribute it 24/7.

• Despite being completed in Chaitra 2078 (March-April 2022), the project has been non-functional for over three years and has failed to deliver even a drop of water. Structures and equipment have become dilapidated, with tanks covered in debris and mud, motors rusting or broken, and electrical panels damaged.

• Initial operation lasted only about three months before stopping due to unpaid electricity bills. Political disputes, mismanagement, and lack of accountability have contributed to the project's failure.

• The project lies within Gorkha-2, the electoral area of Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, a former prime minister and current opposition leader. Locals express frustration over leadership’s neglect despite his high political stature.

• The water management committee formed after construction faced allegations of fund misappropriation and lack of transparency. Conflicts between local consumer groups and municipal authorities further stalled operations.

• In Magh 2081 (January-February 2025), responsibility was transferred to the Gorkha Municipality Water Supply and Sanitation Management Board, chaired by the municipal mayor Krishna Bahadur Rana Magar. The board plans to restart operations, with some budget allocated for electricity payments and maintenance.

• Local consumer groups have expressed willingness to buy water at scientific prices if the system operates properly.

• Despite renewed efforts by the municipality, locals remain skeptical due to past disappointments. Without coordinated action free from political interests, the huge investment risks remaining unused, leaving residents thirsty for years to come.

Archive: https://archive.md/sFm7a

The factor behind Bhotekoshi flood: Glacier lake outburst

Summarry:
On July 8, 2025, a flood occurred in the Bhotekoshi River flowing through Rasuwa Gadhi, Nepal, caused by the bursting of a supraglacial lake (a lake formed on the surface of a glacier) on the Purepu glacier approximately 36 km north of the Nepal-China border near Rasuwa Gadhi.

Preliminary reports from Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, based on Sentinel-2 satellite images from the Copernicus data ecosystem, along with studies by international scientists including Nepali experts at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Chinese Academy of Sciences, confirmed the lake's expansion and sudden outburst.

Key findings:

• The supraglacial lake expanded rapidly from March 25 to early July 2025, merging into a large lake on July 7.
• On July 8, the day of the outburst, the lake’s area suddenly decreased as water was released, triggering the flood downstream.
• Climate change and rising temperatures over recent decades have contributed to the formation and expansion of such glacier lakes.
• The affected area has experienced similar glacier lake outbursts before, and there is a risk of recurrence within this year due to remaining water in the lake basin.
• Currently, no early warning system is established for this area.

The flood damaged more than 10 hydropower projects in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts.

Further ground-based reports from China and additional satellite data will help confirm and update findings. Continuous monitoring and timely information dissemination are planned by Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

Archive: https://archive.md/b5QOs

Summary:
The government of Nepal withdrew a controversial land bill titled “Bill amend Nepal acts related land, 2025” from the House of Representatives agenda on July 9, 2025, after strong opposition from major political parties, including the ruling Nepali Congress. The bill faced criticism for potential misuse and lack of adequate consultation.

Key points:

• The bill was initially set for clause-wise discussion in the House but was removed due to objections from senior Congress leaders who demanded amendments and consensus-building before presentation.
• Congress General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma opposed the bill being tabled directly in the House plenary without proper groundwork.
• Congress leaders had already submitted amendment proposals, but the government proceeded to include the bill in the tentative agenda based on assurances that further consultations would happen.
• After realizing broader discussions were still necessary, the government withdrew the bill.
• Congress lawmakers pointed out ambiguities and potential loopholes in the bill that could be exploited by land mafias and misused for real estate development.
• The bill aimed to simplify land ownership transfers, especially for landless groups, squatters, and unmanaged settlers, but lacked clear legal provisions to prevent abuse.
• Other parties like Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal and Rastriya Swatantra Party also submitted amendments.
• Around 55 members of Parliament from both ruling and opposition parties have proposed amendments concerning the bill.
• The government had introduced similar provisions earlier via ordinances that failed to gain support in the National Assembly.

In summary, due to widespread concerns and the need for more consensus and clarity, the government pulled back the controversial land bill from the parliamentary agenda.

Archive: https://archive.md/3B4Vh

Summary:
India’s growing influence in South Asia is marked by a troubling trend of coercive diplomacy rather than cooperative regionalism. New Delhi is manipulating historical treaties, reviving dormant disputes, and politicizing border and water conflicts to assert dominance in the region.

• Katchatheevu Dispute: India has revived the settled dispute over Katchatheevu Island with Sri Lanka, driven largely by domestic electoral politics, especially from Tamil Nadu's political parties. The 1974 maritime agreement that settled the issue is being challenged, fueled by nationalist rhetoric. Indian fishermen frequently violate maritime boundaries, escalating tensions.

• Nepal: India unilaterally constructed a road in the disputed Lipulekh region, sparking a diplomatic crisis as Nepal claimed sovereignty and released a new political map. India refused bilateral talks and instead used military and cartographic means to assert its claim.

• Bangladesh: The long-pending Teesta River water-sharing agreement remains stalled by India, despite Bangladesh’s repeated calls for fair distribution. Border tensions continue with accusations against India’s Border Security Force for using lethal force on Bangladeshi civilians. India uses water as a geopolitical weapon by delaying treaties and violating agreements.

• China Border (LAC): India’s militarization and aggressive posturing along the Line of Actual Control with China contributed to clashes like the deadly Galwan Valley incident in 2020. India’s opacity about dam projects on the Brahmaputra River adds to regional mistrust.

• Pakistan: India’s hydropower projects on rivers governed by the Indus Waters Treaty violate the treaty. India blocks neutral arbitration mechanisms, undermining legally binding agreements and turning water into a geopolitical tool.

• Bhutan and Maldives: India’s influence takes different forms—massive hydropower investments in Bhutan create dependency concerns, while in Maldives, Indian military presence is seen by locals as an occupation rather than cooperation.

Overall, India’s actions suggest a desire to lead and dominate South Asia through coercion—reviving disputes, militarizing borders, delaying water agreements, and entrenching military presence in smaller states. This approach undermines regional peace, violates neighbors' sovereignty, stokes nationalism, and erodes prospects for collective development. The article argues that if India truly seeks regional stability and leadership, it must abandon provocations and engage neighbors in good faith.

Archive: https://archive.md/vYivG